332 PRIMULACE^. (PRIMROSE FAMILY.) 



10. CENTUNCULUS, Dill. CHAFFWEED. 



Calyx 4 - 5-parted. Corolla shorter than the calyx, 4 - 5-cleft, wheel-shaped, 

 with an urn-shaped short tube, usually withering on the summit of the pod 

 (which is like that of Anagallis). Stamens 4 or 5; filaments beardless. 

 Small annuals, with alternate entire leaves, and solitary inconspicuous flowers 

 in their axils. (Derivation obscure.) 



1. C. minimus, L. Stems ascending (2-6'long) ; leaves ovate, obovate, 

 or spatulate-oblong ; flowers nearly sessile, the parts mostly in fours. Low 

 grounds, from 111. and Minn, to Fla. and Tex., and westward. (Eu.) 



11. S A M O L U S, Tourn. WATER PIMPERNEL. BROOK-WEED. 



Calyx 5-cleft ; the tube adherent to the base of the ovary. Corolla somewhat 

 bell-shaped, 5-cleft, commonly with 5 sterile filaments in the sinuses. True 

 stamens 5, on the corolla-tube, included. Capsule globose, 5-valved at the sum- 

 mit, many-seeded. .Smooth herbs, with alternate entire leaves, and small 

 white racemed flowers. ("According to Pliny, an ancient Druidical name.") 



1. S. Valerndi, L. Stem erect (6-12' high), leafy; leaves obovate 

 or spatulate, the basal rosulate ; bracts none ; slender pedicels ascending, 

 bracteolate in the middle. (Eu.) Var. Americ&nus, Gray. More slen- 

 der, becoming diffuse ; racemes often panicled, the pedicels longer and spread- 

 ing. Wet places, through the U. S. June - Sept. 



ORDER 62. SAPOTACEJE. (SAPODILLA FAMILY.) 



Trees or shrubs, mostly with a milky juice, simple and entire alternate 

 leaves {often rusty-downy beneath), small and perfect regular flowers usu- 

 ally in axillary clusters ; the calyx free and persistent ; the fertile stamens 

 commonly as many as the lobes of the hypogynous short corolla and oppo- 

 site them, inserted on its tube, along with one or more rows of appendages 

 and scales (or sterile stamens); anthers turned outward; ovary 4-12- 

 celled, with a single anatropous ovule in each cell; seeds large. Albumen 

 mostly none ; but the large embryo with thickened cotyledons. Style 

 single, pointed. A small, mostly tropical order, producing the Sapo- 

 dilla or Star-apple, and some other edible fruits. 



1. BUMELIA, Swartz. 



Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5-cleft, with a pair of internal appendages at each 

 sinus. Fertile stamens 5; anthers arrow-shaped. Sterile stamens 5, petal- 

 like, alternate with the lobes of the corolla. Ovary 5-celled. Fruit small, 

 resembling a cherry, black, containing a large ovoid and erect seed, with a 

 roundish scar at its base. Flowers small, white, in fascicles from the axils of 

 the leaves. Branches often spiny. Leaves often fascicled on short spurs. 

 Wood very hard. (The ancient name of a kind of Ash.) 



1. B. lycioides, Pers. (SOUTHERN BUCKTHORN.) Spiny (10-25 high); 

 leaves wedge-oblong varying to oval-lanceolate, with a tapering base, often acute, 

 reticulated, nearly glabrous (2 -4' long); clusters densely many-flowered, gla- 

 brous , fruit ovoid. Moist ground, Va. to S. 111., Fla., and Tex. May, June. 



